AT&T and Verizon are like the Yankees and the Red Sox’s, they don’t get along to well. However rumor has it that they, along with T-Mobile USA to take on credit card companies MasterCard and Visa.  There goal is to bring mobile payments to smartphones.  Currently the system is being tested in Atlanta and three other US cities. If all goes well, we should be seeing this soon. Of course smartphones are going to need NFC chips and merchants are going to need new terminals.

Source; Engadget

They don’t often agree on much, but when they do it could prove a huge blow. Such is the case as they team up along with T-Mobile USA to take on Visa, MasterCard and the like in hopes of bringing mobile payments to smartphones. The new system is being tested in Atlanta and 3 other US cities and allows users to simply swipe their smartphone to make retail payments. This could be a huge move in the smartphone market, giving us one more "all-in-one" use for our devices. The project would require NFC chips in said phones and new terminals for merchants, but it would make things much easier on both ends so don’t forsee much resistance.

Via: Engadget

CrackBerry.com’s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Verizon and AT&T team up in hopes to kill off credit and debit cards using smartphones

face2face is a new free social networking application for BlackBerry smarpthones that gives you access to Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn all from one place, the application even has a cross platform chat that enables you to chat will all your friends from one place. Summarized the face2face free app for your BlackBerry smartphone allows you to share, IM and stay connected to friends from almost anywhere. View profiles, feeds and status updates.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
— New Facebook for BlackBerry on May 28th
— Facebook 1.6 for BlackBerry is out!
— LinkedIn app for BlackBerry
— Free App: VR+ lite: Record your voice, Email and Share in Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Blogger.com
— Facebook Chat In The Official BlackBerry App

We previously spoke about face2face, the new free social networking application for BlackBerry smartphones that gives you access to Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn all from one place. Here are a few screenshots to give you an idea about the look and feel of the face2face application for BlackBerry smartphones.

If you liked this article, you might find these interesting:
— Free App: VR+ lite: Record your voice, Email and Share in Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Blogger.com
— Free App: face2face for BlackBerry Smartphones with Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

You know this isn’t the first time you’ve seen the UAE in the tabloids and news. The last time was over the Etisalat incident, the very one Smobile Systems had found and evaluated. This time it’s about data overseas and the inability to control where their laws aren’t applicable. Analysts are stating it could be difficult for authorities to monitor use because of this. Check it out…

I’ll go over briefly what happened last. Over a year ago the UAE state-owned mobile operator Etisalat told the company’s BlackBerry users (over 145,000 of them) to install software they deemed as an upgrade. The upgrade was required to bring service enhancements for supposed battery drain. But that wasn’t the case. It turns out that Etilasat had the assistance of a US -based software firm, SS8, which assists to monitor and prevent criminal activity. This led to a stealth application that could intercept communication. The “upgrade” turned out to be spyware which gave the ability for someone to access private information stored on the phones. The spyware could be activated by an email message. Once the command was sent and received, it would be deleted and the app would begin to listen for incoming email messages which it would intercept. But here’s what happened. At registration the app overloaded the registration server, causing it to shut down and battery life quickly diminished for the users. RIM quickly found the issue and addressed it by giving instructions to the users on how to remove the spyware.

According to an article from the readingeagle.com, Associated Press writer Adam Schreck wrote in detail about the situation. The UAE is a federation of seven heriditary states. They currently censor websites and media they believe is harmful to the national security and local values. Basically they say authorities don’t have access to information on a BlackBerry as they do for a local operator’s device.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority fears that the BlackBerry can manage data in a way that allows misuse. They are concerned that not only do the local laws not apply, but that they are managed by a foreign commercial organization. Really and truly what it boils down to is they don’t like the idea that users have the right to use their phones and ability to do so without worrying about the security of their own personal information. It must be a worry as they feel they needed to encourage the download of spyware to monitor it.

There are other countries who have shown concern as well including Bahrain and Indian government securities. One of their largest concerns is the BlackBerry Messenger which is even more of a challenge to monitor, more so than any types of communication. I don’t know about you, but I like knowing that the BlackBerry Messenger is secure. Many contractors and military personnel rely on the BBM overseas to keep in contact with their families and share photos and thoughts. Knowing their information isn’t easily accessed is a relief.

I suppose in a country where they have complete control over everything, including the way a woman dresses, the idea that they can’t monitor is the issue. Not that it’s a security risk because the only security risk they’ve had at this point is the one they themselves encouraged as an update. We should be thankful to live in a country where we can use our BlackBerry as we want, and able to communicate. It doesn’t make sense to me that they would consider the BlackBerry a threat to security when its one of the most if not the most secure device. RIM has stood by in defending its security. Its the one thing both consumers and enterprises embrace. Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions to share?

[via: readingeagle.com]

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United Arab Emirates Views BlackBerry Smartphones As A Possible Security Risk

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Vlingo announced at CTIA today that they have added SafeReader to their software free. For those who aren’t aware of Vlingo, it’s the world’s most popular mobile voice application, and SafeReader will now add the ability to read your messages to you. Let me elaborate on the details.

Vlingo was first founded back in 2006. When it first came out, it was free. It still has a free version, but the paid version has more features. Just when you thought it was good, it became great. It was designed as a way to deter texting and emailing while driving. Instead of being tempted to text back, you could fix a side key to open Vlingo and tell it who to message and what to say and send it. Easy and convenient, it has become a favorite application for many. It gives you the ability to command by voice to text, email, or update your status on Facebook or Twitter by your voice. The application is available in free and plus version from the Vlingo website or the BlackBerry App World. Vlingo Plus is only $19.99. What’s the difference between them? Let me show you…

The application has been spoken about highly for using voice to text, and of course with the Plus version, you can send to everyone. I’ll be doing a thorough review and post it in a few days. The SafeReader takes the great ability and turns it to text to voice, reading to you. You can download Vlingo from the following sites.

Grab your copy of Vlingo from Vlingo.com

Grab your copy of Vlingo from BlackBerry App World

Let us know if you currently use Vlingo or if you ever have and what you think about it. We’d love to hear your opinions. I’m excited about it, the SafeReader option isn’t a cure, but can save some accidents for those of us who can’t turn our phones off while driving.

You’re reading a story which originated at BlackBerrySync.com, Where you find BlackBerry News You Can Sync With…

This story is sponsored by the new BlackBerry Sync Mobile App Store. Grab your free copy today at www.GetAppStore.com from your BlackBerry.

Vlingo Announces SafeReader Free To Vlingo For Smartphones

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We have talked a few times about Employee Liable vs Corporate Liable smartphones. A corporate liable device is one that the company distributes and is responsible for the cost and maintenance of the device. Generally, this device is locked down and restricted, so as to minimize cost and security risks to the organization. An employee liable device is purchased by the employee, and brought into the organization. This device may or may not be compatible with the network, and it’s up to executive management and the IT department whether or not said device will be allowed.

It is widely reported that employee liable smartphones are on the rise, and in speaking with Ahmed Datoo of Zenrprise, we discussed the possibility that it could be largely attributed to the recession. Employee liable devices are less expensive than corporate liable devices, and while they may carry added headaches for IT, the need for cost cutting has given a large number of consumer smartphones the green light.

According to RIM, “more and more employers are making it possible for employees to connect their personal smartphones to their corporate email, because it’s good for business and is also considered a benefit to employees that want to manage their work and life on BlackBerry.”

In response to this, RIM will be running a series of sessions in cities across North America designed to help IT managers to embrace the surge of employee-liable devices in enterprise. Analyst Maribel Lopez will walk attendees through the risks and rewards of bringing employee’s personal smartphones into the business world and share tactics for management success.

Sessions will be held on the following days:

Toronto, ON – March 25th, 2010
Chicago, IL – March 30th, 2010
Dallas, TX – March 31st, 2010
San Jose, CA – April 1st, 2010

Head over to the Inside BlackBerry post for more information about registration.

© Kyle for BlackBerry Cool, 2010